Locking apparatus

Abstract

A locking apparatus consisting of a latch member; a central portion of which is pivotally mounted and is provided with a locking notch at one side thereof and engageable with a striker; and a forwardly projecting member at the opposite side thereof engageable with a locking plate pivotally mounted on the striker; the locking plate being releasable from either the side where the striker is mounted or from the side where the latch member is mounted.

What I claim is: 
     
       1. A locking apparatus for a trunk lid of a motor vehicle or the like comprising: a striker rigidly mounted on the underside of a trunk lid for movement therewith, said striker including a lower aperture portion;   a locking plate pivotally mounted on said striker, said locking plate including a hook opposite said striker;   a body fixed in the path of movement of said striker;   a latch pivotally mounted on said body, said latch having an engagement member at one side for engagement by said striker for pivoting said latch, said latch having a notch portion, spaced from said engagement member for sequential receipt in the lower aperture portion of said striker after the striker has engaged said engagement member of said latch, said latch having a flange opposite said notch portion engageable with said hook; and   unlatching means for disengaging the latch from said striker and locking plate.   
     
     
       2. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said unlatching means comprises a lever integral with said locking plate, and a releasing lever pivotally mounted on said body so that the locking apparatus can be unlatched by operation of either the lever integral with the locking plate or the releasing member on said body. 
     
     
       3. The structure as claimed in claim 2 including operating means optionally engageable with either said lever integral with the locking plate or the releasing lever on said body. 
     
     
       4. The structure as claimed in claim 2 in which operation of said lever and releasing lever are manually operable for separating the striker and locking plate from said latch. 
     
     
       5. The structure as claimed in claim 2 in which the lever integral with the locking plate is accessible exteriorly of said lid, and said releasing lever is disposed within said lid. 
     
     
       6. The structure as claimed in claim 1 including biasing means operatively connected to said locking plate, latch and releasing lever for normally urging the locking apparatus in closing relationship. 
     
     
       7. The structure as claimed in claim 9 in which said releasing lever is connected to an operating rod for operation within a motor vehicle.